Timing devices



F. HAUSER TIMING DEVICES April 5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1962 INVENTOR.

F. HAU$ER TIMING DEVICES A ril 5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23, 1962 INVENTOR. F250 Hausa? F. HAUSER TIMING DEVICES April 5, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 23, 1962 INVENTOR. AGED Hausse United States Patent 3,244,912 TIMING DEVICES Fred Hauser, 1544 Midvale Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Oct. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 232,477 14 Claims. (Cl. 307-441) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 185,637, filed April 6. 1962, entitled, Timing Device With Rotating Cam Operated Micro-Switch.

This invention relates generally to timing devices employed in automatic lawn sprinkling equipment, laundry equipment and in various phases of automation wherein electrical switches or pilot valves are operated in a preselected sequence, the time intervals of separate operations in the sequence being independently selected without affecting the timing interval of any of the other operations in the sequence. More specifically, the invention relates to an improvement in such timing devices wherein fewer mechanical mechanisms and linkages are required and more advantageous results are obtained through the use of a rotatably mounted printed circuit plate in novel combination with a plurality of individually adjustable stationary timing units.

Timing devices of the general nature in which I have made an improvement may be employed for sequentially timing multiple station control apparatus, such devices being disclosed in my Patents Nos. 3,040,227 and 3,040,- 228, issued June 19, 1962, and in my co-pending application Serial No. 185,637, filed April 6, 1962, for Timing Devices. The timing device disclosed in my Patent No. 3,040,227 is provided with a plurality of stationary timing units disclosed in a generally circular orbital array, one for each station of the control apparatus being operated. Means are provided to orbitally move an indexing part or timing cam to register successively with the va'rious orbitally disposed stationary timing units. Driving means propel the timing cam between the stations at selectable rates of speed. Each timing unit is provided with a projectable timing part and means associated there with for adjusting the part to selected positions of projection into the path of the indexing part or timing cam, which is periodically brought into registry with each unit. A timing period duration is determined by the length of time required for the timing cam to contact and pass a projected timing part of an individual timing unit. The further the timing part is projected into the path of the cam, the longer the corresponding timing period continues. Upon the timing cams contacting or interfering with the timing part, the driving means are made to operate to move the timing cam at a pie-selected relatively slow orbital advance past the timing units. The timing period is ended when the cam passes the timing unit, losing contact with the projected timing part. Then, the driving means is made to advance the timing cam at a more rapid rate to the next station. An indicator scale calibrated in units of time is normally provided on each timing unit to show the setting of the projectable timing part and indicate the duration of the timing period thereby established. In my Patent No. 3,040,228, an improvement in the aforedescribed device was'made which allows greater accuracy in adjusting and determining the duration of a timing period for certain pro-selected ranges of a timing period or portion thereof. In my co-pending application Serial No. 185,637, filed April 6, 1962, an improvement in the device of my Patent No. 3,040,227 is disclosed in which stationary printed electrical circuits and sliding electrical switch means are employed in novel combination with an orbitally moving timing cam and a plurality of individually adjustable timing units.

In each of these prior devices, I employed an orbitally moving timing cam adapted to interfere with projectable portions of the stationary timing units. Since the duration of a timing period was determined by the length of time the timing cam interfered with a projectable portion of a timing unit, the extent of projection of such portion of each unit had to be carefully calibrated to the units of the associated indicator scale. I have found that during shipment of these devices that the mechanical mechanisms of the timing units are frequently jostled out of proper calibration due to rough handling of the devices. In such instances, the individual timing units so effected fail to provide timing period durations for the associated controlled device corresponding to the indicator scale.

This application is directed to improvements in the construction of the device disclosed in my earlier filed copending application and issued patents wherein the accurate operation of the device will not be effected by rough handling during shipment and installation. It is therefore the primary object of my invention to disclose and provide a timing device, for use in operating automatic lawn sprinkling equipment, laundry equipment and other equipment wherein electrical switches or valves are operated in a pre-selected sequence, wherein fewer mechanical and electrical mechanisms are employed than in previous devices and wherein continued accurate operation of the device will not be effected by rough handling and jostling during shipment and installation.

It is another object of my invention to disclose and provide a novel rotatable plate means of electrically nonconductive material having electrical circuit paths adapted to transmit electrical impulses in a predetermined manner in response to sliding contact with wiper arms of a plurality of timing units in a timing device, of the general character herein before described, during rotation of the plate means beneath the timing units.

his a further object of my invention to disclose and provide a timing device wherein electrical circuits between a source of electricity and a multiple station control device are sequentially operated in a predetermined manner, each circuit being closed for a selectable period of time to operate a station of the controlled device, by rotation of electrical circuit plate means mounted for rotational movement beneath a plurality of stationary timing units wherein portions of each electrical circuit lie in the rotatable plate means and are contacted by the wiper arms of the timing units to complete the individual circuits.

It is a further object of my invention to disclose and provide a novel form of timing unit and rotatable circuit plate means wherein a portion of electrical circuits between a source of electrical potential and the control device to be operated lie in a rotatable circuit plate adapted to rotate beneath a plurality of stationary timing units, the engagement between the circuit paths on the rotatable plate and portions of the individual timing units sequentially closing the electrical circuits in predetermined manner and for selectable durations of timing periods.

Generally stated, the invention includes the provision of a plurality of stationary timing units, one for each station of the control device to be operated, wherein each timing unit is provided with an electrically conductive wiper or contact arm adapted to be selectively positioned by rotation of a timing unit knob. Plate means of electrically non-conductive material are rotatably mounted below the timing units in spaced opposed relation to the timing units such that each of the wiper or contact arms of the timing units contacts the surface of the plate means. Electrically conductive circuit paths .are disposed in the surface of the plate means and are contacted by the individual wiper or contact arms in a predetermined manner during rotation of the plate means below the timing units. Such plate means may be mounted on a main shaft of the timing device with motor means adapted to rotate the shaft and the plate means together, the rotation of the shaft also controlling amultiple station control device such as an electrical distributor or a water pilot valve. Electrical circuit means are also provided for selectively connecting the motor means with a source of electrical potential in response to registry of the electrically conductive paths in the rotating plate means with the timing unit wiper or contact arms. Rotation of the main shaft of the timing device, which controls the operation of an associated multiple station control device, may be thereby governed by the engagement of electrical circuit paths on the plat-emeans with the individual timing unit contact arms. No orbitally moving pivoted timing cam or moving switch means as in my prior devices is required. The crcuit paths on the plate means may be provided in predetermined manner to effect a predetermined timing period sequence and duration for each timing period as the plate rotates beneath the timing units. Further, the individual timing units may be provided with means for adjusting the associated contact or wiper arm into selectable positions of adjustment to vary the timing period for the associated timing unit as desired withoutatfecting the timing unit durations of any other station.

Further objects and various advantages of the present invention as well as a more complete understanding of the invention may be ascertained by a consideration of the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of an improved timing device according to my invention. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a frontal elevation, partially cut away, of an exemplary embodiment of the timing device employing the improvements according to my invention;

FIG. 2 is .a vertical section of the timing device of FIG. 1 along the plane 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the underside of an intermediate plate portion of the timing device of FIG. '2 taken in the plane 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the electrical circuit plate means of the device of FIG. 2. taken in the plane 4*4;

FIG. 5 is a detail view in section of a timing unit of the device'of FIG. 2 taken in the, plane 5-5;

FIG. 6 is an electromechanical schematic illustration of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-5; and

FIG. 7 is a view of the portion of the electrical circuit plate means of FIG. 4 showing its ,position at the beginning of a relatively long timing period.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIGS. '1 and 2, the front plate 11 of an exemplary embodiment of the timing device according to my invention is shown with the markings 1 through to indicate the various stations of the associated control device to be controlled by the timing device, as well as an off station. A plurality of individual stationary timing units 30 are dis- .posedin a generally circular orb-ital array about the front plate 11, each timing unit being associated with one of thestations 1 throughlO. A'pointer knob 12' indicates the station or ti-m-ing unit in operation. Each of the timing unit knobs 32 shows the duration of'a timing period for any given setting of the'timing units by its relative positioning to'the-indioator scales 13.

Referring nowto FIG. 2, itmay be seen that the timing device mechanism is disposed between three, generally vertical, parallel plates: the front plate 11, a back plate 14 and an intermediate plate 15. The threeplates 11, 14 and 15 are joined by spacerbars 16, between back plate 14 and intermediate platel S, and short spacer bars 16', between-intermediate plate 15 and front plate 11. A main shaft 17 carrying flange 18' is journaled in the front plate 11, and'rear plate 14 forrotational movement within the device. Main shaft 17 extends through an opening in the front plate 11 to receive the pointer 12 and passes through an opening in the rear plate 14 to receive an end connector 19 of a flexible cable 20. Flexible cable 20 may operate as a control transmission means connected by an end connector 19' to a multiple station control device, as the electrical distributor means 21 shown in FIG. 2. Selective rotation of the main shaft 17 there-fore controls the operation of the multiple station control device, as distributor means 21 in FIG. 2. It is also adapted to sequentially distribute electrical impulses to various devices such as automatic laundry equipment and water sprinkling devices normally operated by .an electrical distributor as hereinafter explained.

Motor driving means are provided to operate the main shaft 17 at selectable rates of rotation. Such means may include a plurality of motors having different output speeds and overrunning clutch means engaging main shaft 17 such that the fastest running motor at any given time operates the main shaft. As shown in FIG. 2, the exemplary device has two motors 22 and 22"with overrunning clutch means 23 and. 23, respectively. Pinions 24 and 24' engaging a main shaft gear 25 are provided to transmit the motor shaft rotations to the main shaft 17. The overrunning clutch means 23 and 23' allow the faster running of the two motors 22 and 22 to govern the speed of rotation of the main shaft 17. For purposes of explanation, the motor 22 may be considered to be the indexing drive means with a relatively fast output speed and the m'otor22 to be the timing drive means having a relatively slow output speed. Motor 22' will therefore norrates of speed-for operation ofmain shaft 17.

A plurality of stationary timing units 30, one for each timing station of the control device to be operated, as distributor 21, are provided to control the duration of each individual timing period for each station. Each said timing unit includes an electrically conductive wiper arm and'is part of an electrical circuit adapted to operate one of the motors of the afore mentioned motor driving means. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, particularly FIG..2, each timing unit 30 includes an electrically conductive wiper or contact arm 31 mounted from the intermediate plate 15 to engage a rotatable circuit plate means, indicated generally at 50. Each such arm 31 may be provided with means for selectively rotating the arm into various positions of adjustment.

Such means-may include a knob 32 and a timing unit shaft 33 rotatably mounted in the intermediate plate 15. Contact arm 31 can be attached directly to the timing unit shaft 33, but as shown in the exemplary embodiment, it is preferred to translate the rotational movement of each knob 32 into contact arm movement of smaller proportion by means of gear reduction means. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a gear 34 mounted on the timing unit shaft 33 engages a segment gear35 which is mounted on a Wiper arm shaft 36 rotatably mounted in the intermediate plate 15. The wiper shafts 36 are made of electrically non-conductive material. In this instance the contact arm 31, is attached to'the wiper shaft 36 and is rotated by manual adjustment of knob 32 through the action of gears. 34 and 35. As shown in FIG. 1, stop means such as pegs 37 may be provided to limit the rotational movement of the individual gear segments 35.

An electrically conductive contact ring'40 is provided on the under side of the intermediate plate 15 as shown best seen in FIG. 3, are at all times in electrical contact with the contact plate 40, through sliding engagement between each of the wiper arms 31 and the biased projections 42. Contact points 33, as shown in FIG. 5 may be riveted in the narrow ends of the wiper or contact arms 31 to engage the circuit plate means, indicated generally at 50.

Plate means of electrically non-conductive material having electrically conductive circuit paths disposed in a surface thereof are provided as indicated generally at 50 in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 7. Plate 51 may be of any configuration. It is preferred that it be round and of a diam eter less than the width or height of the intermediate plate 15, but larger than the diameter of the circle upon which the timing units are laid out. As best shown in FIG. 6, the plate 51 is provided with electrically conductive path means in the surface thereof opposing the timing units 30 and wiper arms 31. Such electrically conductive path means includes acontinuous ring path 52 and a radially outwardly projecting path portion, indicated generally at 53. Projecting path portion 53 has outer edges 55 and 56 aligned with radii of ring path 52 and convergent inner edges 57 and 58 defining an electrically non-conductive portion 54 of plate 51. By proper provision of electrical circuit means, as herein after explained, a timing period of any given station may be determined by the configuration of the non-conductive portion 54 and the adjustment of the wiper arm for that station timing unit. The timing motor is continuously operated, such that a timing period lasts for as long as the wiper arm contacts the electrically non-conductive portion 54. The indexing motor 22 is activated by contact between the wiper arm and the electrically conductive projecting path portion indicated at 53, ending a timing period and rapidly rotating the plate means to begin the timing period for the next station.

Means for mounting the plate means in spaced opposed relation to the timing units, indicated generally at 30, with each wiper arm 31 contacting the surface of the plate means facing timing units is provided. Such means in the preferred embodiment comprises flange 13 mounted on shaft 17. The plate means, indicated generally at 55 may be mounted on the shaft mounted support flange 18 by a plurality of screws 26 or the other suitable fasteners. The plate means preferably is mounted on the main shaft 17, to rotate relative to the timing units with rotation of the main shaft, but another mechanical relation can be employed, as long as the plate means rotates with the main shaft.

The functioning of the timing device, as well as the electrical circuit means, will now be described with pan ticular reference to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. In the electromechanical schematic illustrations in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the wiper arms 31 are represented in dotted lines. Referring first to FIG. 6, the device is shown in the off position wherein the pointer knob 12 would be pointing to the OFF position in FIG. 1. An off-on switch or electrical plug is shown at 45 and portions of a standard 24 hour timer are shown at 46 with a timing pin 47 on the timing disc 48. Switch 49, shown in open position, is closed by the passage of pin 47.

Electrical circuit means are provided for selectively connecting each of the motors of the device with a source of electrical potential in response to registry of the electrically conductive paths on the plate means with the individual wiper arms of the timing units. Such electrical circuit means may include a first or timing circuit means adapted to operate the timing motor continuous- 1y during the operation of the device and a second or indexing circuit means for operating the device between timing periods to rapidly index the mechanisms of the device between stations. There is also a starting circuit.

The first or timing circuit means for operating the main shaft 17 during a timing period by energizing the timing motor 22' may include the continuous ring circuit path 52; a pairof stationary wiper blades 60 and'61,

mounted on the intermediate plate 15 as shown in FIG. 3; and certain lead lines there between and running to a source of electrical potential shown at 62. In starting the device, as when the pin 47 of the timer, indicated at 46, closes switch 49, current flows from the source or" electrical potential indicated at 62 through switch 45, provided it is closed, through the temporarily closed switch 49, through lead line 63 to motor 22' and back through lead line 64 to the source of electric potential 62. This comprises the starting circuit. However, after the device is started, the timer 47 will open switch 49 as the timer at 46 continues to run. Initially the timing circuit is not completed because the lead line 65, from the source of electrical potential at 62, runs to the first stationary wiper blade 60, which is resting on an insulated spot 66 in disc 51 when the disc is in the off position. After the disc has been slightly rotated, however, when the timing motor 22' is operated by the closing of the starting circuit, the first stationary wiper blade 60 will move off of insulated spot 66 and contact the electrically conductive ring circuit path 52. Current may then flow from blade 60 through ring path 52 to the second stationary wiper blade 61 and then through lead line 67 tothe timing motor 22', which is connected to the source of electrical potential, indicated at 62, by the lead line 64. The first or timing circuit means is thus normally closed during rotation of the plate means operating the main shaft 17 at a predetermined o-r timing speed.

Second or indexing circuit means, for operating the main shaft between timing periods and from the off position to No. 1 timing position includes generally a lead line 64 running from the indexing or timing motors 22 and 22' to the source of electrical potential, indicated at 62, a lead line 68 running from indexing motor 22 to the contact ring 40, and one of the wiper arms 31 contacting projecting portion 53 and ring 52, contact blade 69 and lead line 65. Lead line 69 and connector 70 interconnect the ring 40 with a third stationary wiper blade 71 mounted on the intermediate plate 15, as shown in FIG. 3, completing a starting indexing circuit through ring path 52 blade 60 and lead 65. Current flows through the second or indexing circuit means when one of the wiper arms 31 or blade 71 contacts the electrically conductive projecting path portion, indicated at 53. On starting the device by closing the starting circuit by the timer at 46, a circuit from the source of electrical potential, indicated at 62, through switches 45 and 49, lead line 63, timing motor 22', and lead line 64 is completed. The shaft 17 rotates in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 6 at a timing speed until the insulated spot 66 on disc 51 passes the contact point 38 of the wiper blade 60. At this moment a circuit from the source 62 again through switch 45, but this time through lead line 65, into the electrically conductive ring path 52, through the electrically conductive projecting path portion to contact blade 71, through lead line 69, to contact ring 40, from contact 40 through lead line 68 to motor 22, and from motor 22 through lead line 64 to the source of electrical potential, is completed. A short time after the start of the timing device, the indexing and timing motors 22 and 22, respectively will both be operated until the projecting circuit path portion, indicated at 53, passes from under the third stationary contact blade 71 and the first stations wiper arm 31 engages the electrically nonconductive portion 54 on the disc 51. Before the third stationary contact blade 71 loses contact with the conducting portion, indicated at 53, the wiper arm 31, for the first station, contacts the conductive portion 53, if adjusted as in FIG. 7, and the indexing mot-or keeps running. When the contact arm 31 engages the electrically non-conductive surface portion 54 of disc 51, the indexing motor stops and the first timing period begins. Only the timing circuit of first circuit means is closed then and the timing motor 22' operates shaft 17. The duration of a timing period is determined by the width 7 of the electrically non-conductiveportion 54 lying under the path of travel of the wiper arm 31. Because the inner edges 57 and 58 of the electrically conductive projecting path portion, indicated at 53, are convergent, it is apparent from -a comparison of FIGS. 4 and 7 that rotation of the wiper arm 31 will cause the contact point 38 to lie upon a non-conductive portion 54 for varying lengths of time for any given speed of rotation for disc 51. As shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the inner edges 57 and 58 of the projecting circuit path portion, indicated at 53, are broken to converge at two different angles. The included angle between the portions of inner edges 57 and 58 near ring 52 is smaller than that between the portions of inner edges 57 and 58 away from ring 52. Greater accuracy in setting timing periods of shorter durations may thus be effected by adjustment of the wiper armsrelative to the inner area of the electrically non-conductive portion 54 than in the outer area thereof. .This allows the provision of an expanded scale portion on the indicator scale means on the front plate 11 and consequently a more accurate adjustment of the timing period for such durations determined by adjustment of the knobs 32 to the expanded portion of the indicator scale means. Any scale indicator means may be accommodated simply by shaping the electrically non-conductive portion 54 to properly cooperate with the rotatable wiper arms 31 to give predetermined selectable timing period durations for a given timing motor speed.

If on a lawn sprinkling installation, it may be desirable to have a scale graduated from 30 to 60 minutes. In that case the minimum sprinkling period obtained by a wiper arm passing over portion 54 should be 30 minutes while the maximum would be 60 minutes.

Should it be desired to start the unit manually, one need only to rotate the pointer 12 a short distance in a clockwise direction, far enough for the insulated spot 66 to pass the contact point 38 of the blade 60, and the device will automatically go through its complete cycle.

From the foregoing, it may be seen that by eliminating the orbitally moving pivoted cam, moving switch means and projectable timing part elements of my prior devices, a more sturdy device capable of withstanding rough handling and jostling during shipment and installation is provided. The rotatable circuit plate means having electrical circuit paths therein is not disturbed by jarring or bouncing the device. The calibration of the novel timing units of the present device also is not effected by rough handling of the device. Therefore, because of the novel construction and mode of operation of the present invention, a timing device particularly suited for operating automatic lawn sprinkling equipment, laundry equipment and similar sequentially operated devices is provided that retains its accurate operating characteristics under rough handling, is less expensive and easier to manufacture and has fewer parts which might require maintenance attention.

Having thus described an exemplary embodiment of a timing device according to my invention, what I desire to claim as new and to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a timing device for use with a multiple station control device such as an electrical distributor, water pilot valve, or the like wherein the timing device includes a plurality of motors of differing output speed operably associated with a main shaft to impart rotational movement of selected speeds and duration to said shaft, the provision of:

a plurality of stationary timing units, one for each station of the control device to be operated, each said timing unit including an electrically conductive wiper arm;

plate means of electrically non-conductive material having electrically conductive circuit paths disposed in a surface thereof;

means for mounting said plate means in spaced op- 8 posed relation to said timing units With each said wiper arm contacting said surface of said plate means and for rotating said plate means relative to said units with rotation of said main shaft; and electrical circuit means for selectively connectingeach of said motors with a source ofelectrical potential and at least one of said motors in response to registry of said electrically conductive paths with said timing unit wiper arms.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein each said timing unit includes means for selectively rotating the associated wiper arm through various positions of adjustment and the duration of a timing period for each station operated by said timing units depends upon the rotational adjustment of said associated wiper arm.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive circuit paths include a first circuit path of circular configuration and a second circuit path extending radially outward from said first circuit path and said electrical circuit means includes:

a first circuit means including two stationary electrically conductive wiper blades contacting said first circuit path, electrical connections between one of said blades and one of said motors, between the other of said blades and a connection means for connecting to a source of electrical potential and between said one of said motors and said source, said first circuit means being normally closed during rotation of said plate means to operate said shaft at a timing speed, and

second circuit means including an electrically conductive contact ring engaging each said timing unit wiper arm and electrical connections between said ring and a second of said motors and between said second of said motors and said source, said second circuit means being open during a timing period and being closed by said second circuit path engaging a wiper arm during rotation of said plate means to operate said shaft at an indexing speed.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said second circuit path extending radially outward from said first circuit path is provided in two divergent path portions separated by a portion of the surface of said electrically non-conductive material, said wiper arms are each disposed to engage one of said portions as a preceding wiper arm disengages the other of said portions during rotation of said plate means, and a timing period occurs when said second circuit means is open and said first circuit means is closed, the duration of a timing period being determined by the width of said portion of the surface between said divergent path portions.

5. In a multiple station timing device having a plurality of motors operably associated with a main shaft adapted to impart variably timed rotary motion to a distributor means interconnectable to said shaft, the provision of:

a plurality of stationary timing units, one for each station of a distributor means to be operated, each of said units including an electrically conductive wiper arm and means for selectively rotating said arm;

electric circuit plate means mounted on said main shaft spaced from and opposing said timing units, said plate means being contacted by each wiper arm andincluding electrically conductive path means selectively disposed in a surface of electrically non-conductive material;

indexing drive means to index said shaft between stations including one of said motors;

first electric circuit means interconnecting said one motor, each said wiper arm and said electrically conductive path means to a plug adapted to be interconnected to a source of electric potential;

timing drive means to drive said shaft during a timed operating period of said distributor including a second of said motors operably connected to said shaft;

and second electric circuit means interconnecting said 9 second motor, said electrically conductive path means and said plug;

said first electric circuit means being normally open and being closed by successive contact of said electrically conductive path means with each said wiper arm during rotation of said shaft, said second electric circuit means being normally closed and operatively driving said shaft, said indexing drive means overriding said timing drive means while one said wiper arm contacts said electrically conductive path means.

6. A multiple station control timing device comprising:

a plurality of adjustable electrically conductive wiper arms disposed in planar orbital array;

a main shaft through said array and motor drive means for operating said shaft at selectable speeds and durations; 7

an electrically non-conductive plate having an electrically conductive circuit path in a surface thereof;

means for mounting said plate on said shaft with said surface in contact with said Wiper arms;

electrical connection means for electrically connecting said motor drive means with a source of electrical potential and with each of said wiper arms and for electrically connecting said circuit path with said source of electrical potential, a completed electrical circuit between said motor drive means and said source of electric potential being made when said circuit path contacts a wiper arm.

7. A multiple station control timing device, comprising:

a frame including a front plate, a rear plate, an intermediate plate and spacer bars spacing and interconnecting said plates;

a plurality of stationary timing units mounted on said intermediate plate, one for each station of said apparatus, each said unit including a wiper arm rotatably mounted on said intermediate plate, a knob disposed above said front plate and means interconnecting said knob and wiper arm for rotating said wiper arm upon rotation of said knob;

a main shaft rotatably mounted in said frame;

electrical circuit plate means including a pre-selected electrically conductive circuit path in a surface of electrically non-conductive material;

means for mounting said circuit plate on said main shaft in spaced, opposed relation to said timing units with each said wiper arm contacting the surface of said plate;

a pair of motors of differing output speed operably associated with said main shaft to impart selectable rotational movement to said shaft;

indexing circuit means interconnecting one of said motors, each said wiper arm and said electrically conductive path means to an electrical connector adapted to be interconnected to a source of electric potential; and

timing circuit means interconnecting a second of said motors, said electrically conductive path means and said electrical connector.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein each said means interconnecting said knob and Wiper arm includes:

a knob shaft rotatably mounted in said intermediate plate, extending through said front plate and mounting said knob;

a gear on said shaft between said intermediate and front plate; and

a wiper shaft rotatably mounted in said intermediate plate and engaging said gear.

. A multiple station control timing device comprising:

a plurality of stationary timing units, one for each station of said apparatus, each of said timing units including a manually adjustable electrically conductive contact arm;

a motor means connected to a source of electric potential;

first electrical connection means for interconnecting each of said arms with said motor means, said first electrical connection means including an electrically conductive ring mounted on an intermediate plate;

a printed circuit plate disposed below said timing units,

said plate being of non-electrically conductive material having electrically conductive path means opposed to said timing units;

said electrically conductive path means including a continuous ring path and a projecting portion extending radially outward from said ring, said projecting portion being contacted by said contact arms and having outer edges aligned with radii of said ring and convergent inner edges of said projection defining an electrically non-conductive portion of said plate; and

a second electrical connection means for electrically interconnecting said continuous ring path with said source of electrical potential whereby said motor means is operated when one of said contact arms contacts said projecting portion of said circuit plate path means.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said second electrical connection means includes:

a first stationary electrically conductive wiper blade means for contacting said continuous ring path and electrical lead line means for interconnecting said first stationary wiper blade means with said source of electrical potential.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein a second motor means is provided and is interconnected with said source of electrical potential, and

a second stationary electrically conductive wiper blade means for contacting said continuous ring path and second electrical lead line means for interconnecting said second motor means with said second stationary blade means are provided to complete an electrical circuit between said second motor means and said source of electrical potential through said circuit plate continuous ring path.

12. In a timing device for use with a multiple station control device such as an electrical distributor, water pilot valve, or the like wherein the timing device includes motor means associated with a main shaft to impart rotational movement thereto on energization of said motor means, the provision of:

a plurality of timing units, one for each station of the control device to be operated, each said timing unit having an adjustable electrically conductive contact means;

plate means of electrically non-conductive material having electrically conductive circuit paths disposed in a surface thereof;

means for mounting said plate means in spaced opposed relation to said timing units with said contact means contacting said surface and means for providing relative movement between said contact means and said plate means surface so that said contact means come into contact with said circuit paths; and

electrical circuit means for connecting said motor means with a source of electrical potential in response to contact between said circuit paths and said timing unit contact means.

13. In a multiple station timing device having a plurality of timing units, one for each station of a control device to be operated, a main shaft to operate said control device and motor means for rotating said shaft, the provision of:

an adjustable electrically conductive contact means on each said timing unit;

an electrically non-conductive plate having an electrically conductive circuit path in a surface thereof;

mounting means for mounting said plate with said surface in contact with said timing unit contact means;

means for providing relative rotation between'said timing unit contact means and said plate surface whereby each said contact means electrically connects and disconnects with said circuit path; and

electrical connection means for electrically connecting said motor means with a source of electrical potential and with each of said timing unit electrically con ductive contact means and for electrically vconnecting said circuit path with said source of electrical potential, a completed electrical circuit ocurring between said motor means and said source of electrical potential to rotate said shaft when said circuit path is electrically connected with one of said contact means.

14. In a multiple station timing device having a plurality of timing units, one for each station of a control device to be operated, a main-shaft to operate said control device and motor means for rotating said shaft, the provision of:

electrical contact means on each said timing unit;

an electrically non-conductive plate having electrically conductive circuit paths in a surface thereof, said surface contacting said contact means;

means for providing relative rotating electrical contact between each said timing unit contact means and said plate circuit paths; and v electrical connection means for electricallyconnecting said motor means with a source of electrical potential and with each of said timing unit electrical contact means and for electrically connecting said circuitpaths with said source of electrical potential, a completed electrical circuit between said motor meansand said source of electrical potential to cause rotation of said shaft occurring when said circuit path is electrically contacted by one of said electrical contact means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,003,097 10/1961 Jennings 318443 3,040,227 6/1962 Hauser 318-443 3,040,228 6/1962 Hauser 318-443 3,151,257 9/1964 Anderson 307-l41.4

LLOYD MCCOLLUM, Primary Examiner.

W. SHOOP, Assistant Examiner. 

9. A MULTIPLE STATION CONTROL TIMING DEVICE COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF STATIONARY TIMING UNITS, ONE FOR EACH STATION OF SAID APPARATUS, EACH OF SAID TIMING UNITS INCLUDING A MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE CONTACT ARM; A MOTOR MEANS CONNECTED TO A SOURCE OF ELECTRIC POTENTIAL; FIRST ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS FOR INTERCONNECTING EACH OF SAID ARMS WITH SAID MOTOR MEANS, SAID FIRST ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS INCLUDING AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE RING MOUNTED ON AN INTEMEDIATE PLATE; A PRINTED CIRCUIT PLATE DISPOSED BELOW SAID TIMING UNITS, SAID PLATE BEING OF NON-ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL HAVING ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE PATH MEANS OPPOSED TO SAID TIMING UNITS; SAID ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE PATH MEANS INCLUDING A CONTINUOUS RING PATH AND A PROJECTING PORTION EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARD FROM SAID RING, SAID PROJECTING PORTION BEING CONTACTED BY SAID CONTACT ARMS AND HAVING OUTER EDGES ALIGNED WITH RADII OF SAID RING AND CONVERGENT INNER EDGES OF SAID PROJECTION DEFINING AN ELECTRICALLY NON-CONDUCTIVE PORTION OF SAID PLATE; AND A SECOND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS FOR ELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID CONTINUOUS RING PATH WITH SAID SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL WHEREBY SAID MOTOR MEANS IS OPERATED WHEN ONE OF SAID CONTACT ARMS CONTACTS SAID PROJECTING PORTION OF SAID CIRCUIT PLATE PATH MEANS. 